Garment-clasp



(No Model.)

Patented May 15 WITNESSES UNITED STATEs- PATENT (limos,

CHARLES \V. FOSTER, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

GARM ENT-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,700, dated May 15, 1883,

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES W.Fos'rir.1t,a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Garment-Clasp, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to garment clasps, and has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive, and eflicient clasp that can be more conveniently operated, and that willnot tear or damage the garment in any way, and of such aconstruction that presents no points or edges liable to engagement with the apparel.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved clasp. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same with its jaws open. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line a: a, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a like view on the line g 11 Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the parts comprising my improved clasp separated.

Referring to the drawings, A and B designate the jaws of my clasp, each of which is formed with a flange, O D, respectively, that is bent at right angles to the body of the jaw. These flanges or extensions at each side of the jaws constitute thesides of the clasp, and the flanges D D of jaw B are preferably inclosed by the flanges G of jaw A, as shown.

E is the transverse pivotpin that passes through the flanges O D and forms the fulcrum of the lever-jaw 13.

Around the fulcrum-pin E is coiled a spring, F, having its two ends both extending in the same direction and bearing against the interior face of the clamping end or mouth of the jaws, whereby the spring serves to force the mouth of the jaws open. The two ends G G of the spring F are protected and prevented from tearing or damaging the fabric thatis clamped by the jaws by reason of a flange or extension, H, that extends around the edges of the jaws at the mouth of the clasp. This flange II also binds into the fabric and secures the clasp; but, if desired, the portion of the flange running across the front edge of the mouth may be serrated to impart additional tenacity.

To operate the lever-jaw B conveniently, an

ope ating-lever, I, is hinged or pivoted to the rear edge of the said jaw, as at J, and has a moving fulcrum formed by two inwardly-extending flanges or extensions, K K, that have a beveled edge, L, which bears against and slides on the main jaw A between the side flanges ot' the latter. Thus when the lever I is thrown out from thejaw A, as shown in Fi 2 of the drawings, thcjaws A and B are held open by the spring F, ready to engage the fabric; but by throwing thelever'I toward the jaw A the fulcrum of the lever operating its pivotal connection with the lever-jaw 13 causes the latter to bind against the jaw A to clamp the fabric. Besides operating the lever-jaw B, the lever I also serves to secure the clasp to its elastic or other retaining fabric, the latter being secured to the lever at its rear end, and also serves as a menus, if. desired, for operating the lever.

The rear end, M, of the main jaw A is curved inwardly, so as to be near the lever I when the latter is in position for binding thejaws together.

The operation and advantages of my invcn. tion are obvious.

The device is very simple and ellicient, and it can be manipulated with superior convenience.

It will be observed that the jaws A B are provided with openings S in their clamping ends, each of which has an inturned flange, T, that extends through the opening of the otherjaw,asshown. TheseflangesTfltsnugly against the edge of the opening through which they pass, so as to seclirely clamp and bind the fabric, and these flanges T greatly increase the tenacity and efficiency of my improved clasp.

I claim as my invention- 1. A garment-clasp comprising a main jaw, a lever-jaw pivoted thereto, a spring arranged to exert its tension to force the jaws apart, and a lever for operating the lever-jaw, hinged or pivoted to the latter, and having two inweirdly-extending flanges or extensions forming a fulcrum bearing against the main jaw, which latter also serves to secure the clasp to the retaining fabric, as set forth.

2. A garment-clasp comprising a main jaw,

having its rear end curved inwardly, a leverjaw pivoted to the main jaw, a spring having both its ends extending in the same direction and bearing against the jaws at their mouth to force them apart, and a lever for operating the lever-jaw, hinged or pivoted to the latter, and having side flanges or extensions that extend inwardly and are provided with beveled edges which bear against the main jaw and the latter, and having a fulcrum against the main jaw, and also having the fabric to which the clasp is secured affixed to the rear end of this operating-lever, as set forth.

4. As an improvement in garmcnt-clasps, the combination of a main jaw, a lever clamping-jaw fulcrumed thereto, a coiled spring having both its ends exerting their tension against the interior faces of thejaws at their clamping ends to force the same apart, and an operating-lever hinged on the rear edge of the lever-jaw, and provided with two inwardlyextending flanges that slide on the inner surface of the main jaw and form a fulcrum for the operating-lever, the latter being arranged to secure the claspto itsretaining fabric, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. \V. FOSTER.

Witnesses A. F. FOSTER, A, W. DUDLEY. 

